Environmentalist group Greenpeace docked in Bermuda this week to help remind residents of their role in helping to protect the world’s oceans.

The British branch of the worldwide organisation held a reception aboard its vessel Arctic Sunrise, where the team appealed to politicians and activists on the island to campaign for the Global Ocean Treaty.

Reshima Sharma, a political campaigner working with Greenpeace UK, said that the treaty had plenty of political backing – but added that she feared this interest was losing steam.

She explained: “The UK has said that it plans to ratify after a General Election, pushing it into the long grass, and we’re really concerned that it’s falling off the UK Government’s priority list.”

Ms Sharma added: “Bermuda has a long history of protecting its own waters and protecting the high seas as well, so Bermuda can play a really important role in pushing the UK to not just ratify really quickly, but to also start putting forward these proposals for ocean sanctuaries now.”

The Global Ocean Treaty could create vast protected areas covering at least 30 per cent of oceans by 2030.

Ms Sharma said that the difficulty came from the need for 60 countries to ratify the agreement.

She earlier told The Royal Gazette that the British Government, though it played a central role in negotiating for the treaty, would not be able to move further on it until after its General Election, which must be held by January 28, 2025.

Ms Sharma said on Tuesday: “As soon as this agreement comes into force, we really want to see countries be able to put forward these good proposals for marine-protected areas and fleshed-out ideas.

“We want to start that conversation here in Bermuda. Bermuda is not just at the centre of it geographically but also historically.”

Bermuda is the only landmass within the Sargasso Sea, prompting the island to take many stances regarding its protection.

Scott Pearman, the Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, attended this week’s tour of the Arctic Sunrise on behalf of the One Bermuda Alliance.

He said that the Global Ocean Treaty was “really important” and “it should be recognised by all Bermudians that it’s really important to us too”.

Mr Pearman explained: “This is our neighbourhood. It’s an important project and I think the promotion of that by Greenpeace and others in invaluable.”

He added: “We’re never going to get a second chance at protecting our world’s oceans.”

Walter Roban, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Home Affairs, spoke earlier about the importance of protecting the Sargasso Sea and preserving its unique ecosystem.

The Arctic Sunrise, which docked in Hamilton Harbour on Sunday, will be in Bermuda until May 20.

A crew of 30 is expected to host expeditions around the Sargasso Sea before setting sail for Spain.